SWIFTONE

would not do that at all My Montego is being bought back by Ford (not under Lemon Law) as they cant fix concerns with Occupant classification system/Airbags Many other issues since I took delivery in October

How do I know if the faults were with assemply or parts related. There was a sticker on the vehicle that quality is job 1 well not in the case of my vehicle. Felt that it should have been FIX OR REPAIR DAILY=FORD When I buy anything I expect that it will work as intended. Ford builds the vehicles and then a franchise will sell the vehicle. If there are problems the service department at the franchise will repair the vehicle and FORD will pay them for doint the repairs. Its just the consumer that is screwed in my case for 5 months. Airbags according to the owner of the selling dealership are supplemental to seatbelts. So I wonder why they are there at all.

Interesting posts re the conditions on the assembly line and how the local management just wants to get the cars out the door to the customers or should I say ex customers! I purchased a 2006 Montego after evaluating what else was out there. Wrote to the Chicago plant manager after exhausting other avenues and never received a response about the issues below: Took delivery in October and since then had the following problems: ABS sensor came on at 500 miles repaired, At 2500 miles Main Airbag warning light came on. Light goes off when turned off. Dealer could not find code. It came on again and dealer still did not find code. Took car to another dealer at the suggestion of Ford customer service and a code was found relating to Occupant Classification System. Took car back to selling dealer(name will be provided on request) and suddenly they found same code. Arranged with dealer to return car on Feb 27 for service only to be told that FORD is aware of the problem and is working on the problem.(Ford Techhotline) Airbag light came on 2 months ago while driving alone and I immediately took it to my dealer and the code was the same refering to the occupant classification system. Have been informed that there is to be a software update issued in May that should fix issue. In early May they replaced toe Occupant Classifaction Module and yes the problem reoccured while driving after finally getting my wife to go back in the car In addition the the 2 items above the following are also issues that I am/have had; GPS not recognizing address, struts and springs were already replaced(grinding banging when at slow speed-parking, there is a rattle in the passenger compartment that they do not hear, front seat leather is rippled and was replaced and ripples appear in the same spot( like maybe something underneath are causing the ripples), brakes make excessive noise and more pressure when car is left overnight(told that brakes can be noisy on first application of brakes due to rust buildup on rotors overnignt) then the oval dash clock stopped working. I am now waiting for the paperwork to make it to the dealer level as FORD will be buying back the car. :cheerleader: Any comments from Chicago assembly workers and yes I know that others have had more reliable cars with O defects. Guess that I was the lucky one!!!!!

Wont be on here much longer as FORD is doing the right thing and buying my car as they at this time are unable to fix the vehicle. I will not go into another Montego or 500 Good luck to all of u

We went away yesterday to Mass We are driving on the Mass pike and you guessed it the Main Airbag light came on. Wonder what my dealer Smith Cairns will say now to that and yes I had my camera with me and took a picture. 2 dealers in Pittsfield and Great Barrington were not able to help till Monday. Home now will pursue with Ford Just wanted all of you to know that the fix did not work!!

This is just an update The problem that I was having with the airbag light coming on was??? addressed by the Ford Tech hotline telling my dealer to install a new module in the vehicle that had?? the updated software in it. On Tuesday Giggles was brought to the dealer to have that done. Only to get a phone call Weds morning that the module that they had received in replacement was the same as was in the car. They obtained the module that will be installed in the 07's part number: 7G1Z*14B321*B SENSOR ASY-AIR BAG. It was installed in Giggles on Thursday. We shall see how that works out and I will keep you informed if the problem returns. Any ideas how I convince my wife to return to the front passenger seat as she will either sit in back or get places on her own power. No she does not drive.

Everyone I spoke to loved the car as do I except for the problems. There is a known problem with the occupant classification system in that it may not recognize weight of occupant in the passenger seat and thus may not deploy correctly. If I was a betting man I would say that when I took it back to the selling dealer 2x they saw that the warning light was not lit and that was the end of the story. When I took it to another dealer they ran the diagnostics for airbags and the code was found. The light has come on 3x seat was occupied and unoccupied, comes on while driving. Guess yr not the plant manager at Torrence Ave. Maybe he will be in a position to help me. Guess my car was built on a Friday or Monday lol

You may have seen posts that I have made regarding quality issues with my Montego. Never since I have been driving 1968 with 11 vehicles under my belt have I had anything like what I have experienced with my Montego. Short version is: ABS sensor came on at 500 miles repaired, At 2500 miles Main Airbag warning light came on. Light goes off when turned off. Dealer could not find code. It came on again and dealer still did not find code. Took car to another dealer at the suggestion of Ford customer service and a code was found relating to Occupant Classification System. Took car back to selling dealer(name will be provided on request) and suddenly they found same code. Arranged with dealer to return car on Feb 27 for service only to be told that FORD is aware of the problem and is working on the problem.(Ford Techhotline) Airbag light came on a month ago while driving alone and I immediately took it to my dealer and the code was the same refering to the occupant classification system. Have been informed that there is to be a software update issued in May that should fix issue. In addition the the 2 items above the following are also issues that I am/have had; GPS not recognizing address, struts and springs were already replaced(grinding banging when at slow speed-parking, there is a rattle in the passenger compartment that they do not hear, front seat leather is rippled and was replaced and ripples appear in the same spot( like maybe something underneath are causing the ripples), brakes make excessive noise and more pressure when car is left overnight(told that brakes can be noisy on first application of brakes due to rust buildup on rotors overnignt) then 2 weeks ago oval dash clock stopped working. Ford customer service, management offices and the local rep have been of absolutely no assistance. The local rep said to me on Weds that the car has a warranty and will be fixed under the terms of the warranty. The owner of the dealer also was of no use as when I approached him about the issue with the airbags his comment was "the car is a very safe car and airbags are supplemental to the seat belts and as long as the seat belts are worn occupants will be protected" Have been a customer for 13 yrs and bought 6 vehicles from them. Have formally requested a replacement vehicle as I wonder what will go wrong next. Just letting all know of my recent experiences. FORD-FIX OR REPAIR DAILY

Just an update Giggles was taken back to Dealer 2 weeks ago as Airbag light illuminated while driving. They ran diagnostics and same code was present. Service Manager has turned thngs back to Ford and Ford Rep going to review vehicle at Dealer on Monday. In the interim the oval dash clock stopped working Hmm that was the straw that broke my back as I formally advised Ford that I did not want the vehicle owing to issues and have also reported the Airbag issue to NHSTA as a safety concern. let you know what happens

SO JUST AN UPDATE THE PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE FORD TECH HOTLINE HAS BEEN WORKING ON ALTHOUGH NOT TO SWIFTLY. ON FEB 27 DEALER WAS TO TRY TO FIND THE PROBLEM ONLY TO GET A CALL THAT THE HOTLINE TOLD THEM NOT TO WORK ON THE CAR AND RETURN IT TO THE OWNER. LAST FRIDAY WHILE DRIVING HAD THE LIGHT COME ON AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CODE THAT THEY FOUND RELATED TO THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM(WHICH IS THE SAME CODE REPORTED EARLIER) AND NOW THE OVAL CLOCK ALSO STOPPED WORKING WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AS GIGGLES IS GOING BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN.

so far struts and springs did the trick but we shall see thks for yr help

Too bad yr in Cleveland. Would be there for service!!! just some clarifications Steering wheel was not turned to the limit the noise was clunking/grinding from front end when turning wheel. re airbags understand what you say about sensors but if a code showed up in diagnostic then is that part working at all? Thanks for yr feedback

Thats what I thought as well but since I picked mine up in October had numerous issues including Airbag warning light coming on twice and Ford knowing of problem is still working on finding the problem for 2 months. Hope you have better luck than I am having

Thank you for yr comments. Now to add insult to the situation with my car the oval clock stopped working last

Thanks for your response angry at FORD not you will answer yr comments in order ABS issue has not returned, Struts/springs replacement was grinding/banging noise heard when turning/parking at slow speeds, Rattle is erratic and I know that erratic problems are the hardest to find, GPS an address that I enter is stored as destination but when the GPS goes to route to that address error comes up that the system is unable to map a route to that address. So it has the address on the DVD shows it, when I enter it, but is unable to map to it. Baker Rd Livingston NJ Leather is Rippled not ripped. Dealer" Front Pass side back is cut incorrectly and stitched with ripples" Yes Seat Construction is what I would think is causing it also. Maybe fasteners underneath. Clock-when car goes in next for service they will repair Now to the airbag issue- The selling dealership was unable to find a code in the OBD. At the suggestion of FORD customer service I took it to another dealership and they found the following code stored in memory B2290-A0-RCM Occupant Classification System. Took the car back to the selling dealership and they did find the code when they looked further. Agreed to return the car to the selling dealership only to get a call mid afternoon that they were told by FORD not to work on the car as it is a known issue and the FORD Tech hotline has a case. No the light has not come back on since those 2 times and when the vehicle is turned off the system seems to reset itself. Is the system even working correctly? Dealer tells me yes because otherwise the warning light would stay lit. So now for the big question is the car even safe to drive. Will aribags deploy if they are required. The GREAT crash test results were for cars that were equipped with airbags that deployed properly. Yes I know to all of you that posted that problems occur with vehicles and many are subject to recalls and can understand that., but did not buy a vehicle to have the number of problems occur in a less than 4 month time frame that started when the car had less than 600 miles and less than 3 weeks old. The car has been at the dealership 6 times in less than 5 months for service related issues. I have been a customer at the dealer since 1993 buying 7 cars from them and never had any issues with any vehicle nor their service, thats why I had gone back. By the way are you in the NYC area?

yr above comments interesting. I picked up my Montego Premier in October 2005 since then: ABS warning light-sensor either replaced or reconnected, Airbag warning light has come on twice.Selling dealer did not find codes. After taking car to another dealer who did find a code regarding the system. Car was returned to selling dealer for service only to be called later in the day "FORD has said not to work on the vehicle as they have had similiar reports and are working on the problem", Front Struts and Springs had to be replaced, Rattle in interior that dealer cant find, GPS while accepting address in memory can't map it, Front seat leather badly rippled dealer sent car to upholstery shop car returned to me same way. dealer replaced leather and it is still pretty much the same way. "thats the best you willl get it'. Last Saturday the oval interior clock stopped working. When I approached the owner of the dealer regarding the airbags "The airbags are supplemental to the seat belts and the car is a very safe car" Told by Service manager that I should contact Ford customer service, escalated it to management offices only to have the dealer say the car is drivable and they wont do anything. Any comments/ideas

I have had other Ford Products-2 Windstars before getting my 2006 Montego Premier. Interesting what the Montego did not come with!! No glove box light While car comes with Auto Dimming rear view mirror Windstar had on off switch No directional signal in side mirrors Tire sensors to detect loss of airpressure But Ford was generous to me FREE they provided me a vehicle that since October 2006: ABS sensor was disconnected Airbag warning light comes on randomly they cant find problem Front brackets/springs needed replacement Rattle in vehicle that cant be found Brakes grind after being left overnight Front seat leather ripples even after being replaced GPS cant find addresses even after showing them as destination

I picked the Montego over others because of the comforf factor, car rides like a dream, I get about 32 in highway cruising at 55-65. Thats when its not at the dealer. Everyone I talk to has not had any problems near to what mine have been. The dealer is one that I have purchased 6 others from since 1993. They are only a franchise so if they get garbage from FORD all they can do is to try to fix it. They will get all their costs covered by Ford to do repairs, so its a win for them, its just me the customer that is screwed. Ford customer service says the dealer reports the car as drivable lets see what happens today. Glad you are enjoying yr car,

I took a lot of time deciding what vehicle I wanted to replace my 2003 Windstar and decided on the Montego premier. Have had 4 other Ford products and was not prepared for what was to follow. At 500 miles the ABS warning light came on and a sensor had become disconnected. Airbag warning light came on twice and dealer could not find problem and FORD told dealer when it was there for the third time not to work on the car as it was reported and Ford is working on it. That was 3 weeks ago. Grinding noise when turning at slow speeds parking. dealer replaced struts/springs and now the noise is back again. GPS does not recognize all addresses. bubbles on dash cover-replaced Owner of dealer ship said when I approached him that even if the airbags did not deploy the car is very safe and the airbags are only secondary. forearmed is forewarned Dont understand what Fords problem. The dealer does not give a damm about building a quality vehicle despite their slogan of Quality is Job one oh forgot to mention that now brakes make noise and are spongy when being left over night.

Ford is going with Sirius that figures as in my opinion XM is better

I have used yr advice re email to hac@ford.com for my problems with my montego Main airbag light has come on twice and my dealer was not able to find any codes but went to another dealer and there were codes in memory relating to occupant classification and the owner of my dealership says that the airbags are only supplemental and seatbelts are primary and I have to move past this issue. many more mechanical problems since i took delivery

havent driven a Fusion but I have sat in the Lincoln/Mercury versions and there is no comparasion with interior space vs my 2006 Montego. There are reports of the Montego/500 being underpowered but I dont find it at all. As to your question Mine has miles till empty fuel mileage trip milage time elapsed I have gotten 32 mpg on highway driving

Ford management offices repeatedly tod me that unless there were codes present nothing could be done when they now have the codes they still wont do anything as it has been reported and is under investigation by the Tech group at FORD. The owner of the dealership told me to move past this problem. I did what the owners manual says adn thats to take it back to the dealer as the airbags may not function as intended. guess that FORD is not capable of producing reliable products anymore. Is the car even safe to drive, I do not know but the management offices say the car is drivable and wont do any more to help. My wife wont go in the car so I will have to rent cars and all because of FORD's not caring about customer service/relations.

Posting this here in case someone from FORD cares For past few months I have issues with Airbag light coming on while driving and then clearing itself when car was turned off. Dealer insisted that everything was working properly. My dealer put it on diagnostic machine and no codes were there so "we cant fix what we cant find" This was echoed by Ford management offices. Took car to another dealer and with no favors came up with codes stored in memory concerning- Airbags-Occupant Classification System. Went back to my dealer armed with this info and lo and behold they found the codes when they ran diagnostics for the 3rd time. Arranged to bring the car back this morning. Got a call in the afternoon that they were told by FORD MOTOR COMPANY not to do any work on my car as there have been similiar issues reported and they are trying to solve the problem. Approached the owner about my issue and was told that the car is a very safe vehicle and the primary safety system is seatbelts with the airbags secondary. Would have expected that he took more of an interest especially since his techs did not find the problem. Thats a great way to treat a customer that has purchased 4 cars over 13 yrs from them. Also the ABS sensor came on and stayed on at 562 miles sensor on right rear was not connected. Front Springs and brackets were replaced-at 2500 miles Leather seats have extensive ripples. Well that will be the last car that I buy from that dealership, and from FORD-FIX OR REPAIR DAILY Anyone have similar issues

Posting this here in case someone from FORD cares For past few months I have issues with Airbag light coming on while driving and then clearing itself when car was turned off. Dealer insisted that everything was working properly. My dealer put it on diagnostic machine and no codes were there so "we cant fix what we cant find" This was echoed by Ford management offices. Took car to another dealer and with no favors came up with codes stored in memory concerning- Airbags-Occupant Classification System. Went back to my dealer armed with this info and lo and behold they found the codes when they ran diagnostics for the 3rd time. Arranged to bring the car back this morning. Got a call in the afternoon that they were told by FORD MOTOR COMPANY not to do any work on my car as there have been similiar issues reported and they are trying to solve the problem. Approached the owner about my issue and was told that the car is a very safe vehicle and the primary safety system is seatbelts with the airbags secondary. Would have expected that he took more of an interest especially since his techs did not find the problem. Thats a great way to treat a customer tha